Chikkamagaluru, April 19, 2025: A Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) driver reportedly attempted suicide by consuming poison at the Kadur depot, allegedly due to harassment by a senior officer over leave-related issues.
The driver, identified as Chandru, was rushed to Max Hospital in Shivamogga for treatment following the incident.
According to a death note left by Chandru, he stated that he was unfairly marked absent despite having sufficient leave balance. He alleged that he was being harassed by a senior officer named Puttaswamy for not reporting to duty due to health issues. Chandru further claimed that employees were required to pay bribes to get leave approved, and he urged authorities to take action against the mistreatment faced by staff under Puttaswamy’s supervision.
The incident has sparked concern among KSRTC staff, bringing attention to alleged administrative high-handedness. A case has been registered at the Kadur Police Station, and an investigation is underway.